Uptown Girl So Tough

Keeping a winning sequence going for premiership leading trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Uptown (3 f Savabeel – Urban, by O’Reilly) broke though at her third start in the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres on 5 February at Tauranga. 

The pair recorded two wins a day earlier at Riccarton, with horses based on course in the Te Akau stables, Perlino (Super Seth) winning the Maiden 1600 metres by seven and a half lengths and Insatiable (All Too Hard) winning the Banks Peninsula Cup. 

Uptown had kept the finding for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauranga, finished well for third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 23 January at Matamata, and rated a top three chance in the hands of Champion Jockey Craig Grylls.

Although not electric into stride and still back eight lengths off the pace at the 600m, Uptown was across heels with good momentum inside the 300m and stretched out well to reel in the leader Papparazzi (Savabeel).

It was a telling performance by the young filly, especially on a course that generally proves difficult for back markers, and she displayed the type of fortitude synonymous with her pedigree. 

In the race sponsored by Laser Electrical Mount Maunganui, Uptown ran 1600 metres in 1:37.5, last 600m in 35.9 (approx.), on footing upgraded to Good4, and trimmed in betting to pay $3.00 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was really good to see her get up and win like she did over that distance (1600m), and we think she’s only going to get better over more ground” said Walker, of the filly that holds a nomination for the $1.25m Trackside NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) on 7 March at Ellerslie.

“She was in an awkward spot, back on the inner, but Craig Grylls managed to get her off the fence at the right time and she really hit the line strongly. 

“She’s just new to racing, but kept progressing in each of three starts and the win will no doubt give her confidence. 

“She still has plenty of development to come, but has the makings of a nice staying filly and mare.”

Owned by Te Akau 2024 Magic Fillies Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Uptown was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $400,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a really well put together filly with plenty of class.

“Obviously we’ve had a lot of success with the progeny of the Champion Sire Savabeel, who resides just down the road (Waikato Stud) from our stables at Matamata, and had such a huge influence as a stallion.

“To think he’s come on the back his champion grandfather, Sir Tristram, and champion father, Zabeel, and to keep such a world-class sire line going so well is incredible. 

“This filly is a perfect example of the cross between Savabeel and the Waikato Stud Champion Sire O’Reilly, and she is stamped with all the athleticism and quality that we’ve seen the cross produce.”

There has been approximately 36 individual stakes winners bred on the Savabeel/O’Reilly cross, 22 percent stakes winners to runners,  and nine Group One winners, of which Te Akau has bought trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and stallion Embellish, 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner The Perfect Pink, Group One winner and NZB Filly of the Year Amarelinha, Group Three winners Fashion Shoot, Cornflower Blue, and Splurge, listed winner Synchronize, and stakes placed Savoir Faire. 

Becoming a respected broodmare, Urban has now left five individual winners of 15 races, including Group Three and Listed placed Poison Chalice (Savabeel), and she in turn is out of Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Metropolitan (Elusive City), who left six individual winners of 23 races including multiple stakes winner Residential (Pins). 

Uptown carries a bloodline cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer, through the dam line of Zabeel and sire line of O’Reilly. 

Uptown was strapped by Murala Mallesh. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz